Enterprise blockchain solutions: Know the major players

Since it was introduced, blockchain technology has been transforming the way information is being shared among individuals and enterprises.

Blockchain technology gives enterprises the ability to digitize their transactional processes with the help of a highly secured, shared and replicated ledger. Here is a look at the major Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) providers, which have been leading this revolution and taking enterprise-level blockchains to new levels.

IBM offers blockchain enterprise solutions to its clients on its Bluemix cloud environment. IBM Blockchain is based on Hyperledger Fabric from the Linux Foundation, the technology which IBM was pivotal in developing. The company provides its blockchain services to clients across a wide range of verticals, from the financial sector to the music industry.

Microsoft launched its blockchain-as-a-service in 2015 on the Azure cloud platform using the Ethereum blockchain protocol. To deploy and configure blockchain networks, it provides enterprises with solution templates that can be used to set up such networks within a short time, all with minimal technical know-how. Microsoft also provides a service platform for developers for testing blockchain applications.

Accenture, in partnership with Digital Assets, assists enterprises in implementing blockchain solutions at scale. The company helps its customers in determining their distributed-ledger strategies to achieve enterprise transformations from their present configurations. Accenture also makes available an agile development environment with a suite of blockchain tools, customized proofs of concept, and proof of value. The company was one of the founding members of the Linux Hyperledger project.

SAP first got involved in blockchain in 2016 when it had collaborated with Ripple, a blockchain startup, for a proof-of-concept global payment system. As part of its Leonardo portfolio, SAP launched blockchain-as-a-service by deploying the protocols of the Hyperledger platform, which the company joined in early 2017. SAP has integrated blockchain with technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT, big data, all on its Leonardo platform.

Deloitte works on proofs-of-concept with organizations around the globe to manage their digital identities using distributed ledger technology. Their service, known as Smart ID, provides an accountable process for individuals, organizations and IoT devices to acquire, verify and distribute identity records with one another. In addition, Deloitte’s blockchain service such as bank accelerator offers its clients a blockchain architecture for enabling fast and secure peer-to-peer payments.

PwC's DeNovo financial services platform provides on-demand services, analysis, and research for blockchain technology. PwC also helps its clients by providing a customized, blockchain testing environment specific to enterprise needs, in order to help them understand the practicality and impact of this technology on their operations. PwC also partnered with blockchain startups such as Blockstream and BitSe to further develop and boost the adoption of its distributed-ledger and smart-contract technologies.